A woman devoted to rescuing injured deer tragically lost her life in an unexpected incident involving one of the animals she cared for deeply. Jodi Proger, aged 64, had been rehabilitating whitetail deer on her five-acre property in Stewartsville, Ohio, for the past 12 years. Regrettably, on November 15, she was fatally injured by a buck while inside an enclosure with the animal.
Law enforcement in Belmont County had to intervene by shooting the aggressive deer to access Proger, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The specific details of her injuries have not been disclosed publicly.
Proger’s involvement in deer rescue began in 2013 when she witnessed a doe being hit by a car and subsequently rescued the doe’s days-old fawn. Despite facing opposition from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources two years later, Proger successfully retained custody of the fawn, named Wheezer, and expanded her efforts to help other deer.
Describing Wheezer as akin to a large dog, Proger shared a strong bond with him and frequently showcased their relationship on social media. The pair was often seen in coordinated outfits during various festive occasions and Proger even fed Wheezer directly from her mouth.
In addition to Wheezer, Proger provided sanctuary to multiple other deer on her property and shared their images on her Facebook profile. Following Proger’s tragic death, investigations are being carried out by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Department of Agriculture to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Proger’s daughter, Jennifer Bryan, quickly dismissed speculation that Wheezer was involved in her mother’s death, emphasizing that Proger was licensed and aware of the risks associated with caring for deer. Bryan reiterated her mother’s dedication to rescuing animals and requested respect and privacy for their family during this difficult time.